Covid-19: Namibia imposes new prevention restrictions as cases rise!

Namibia's President, Dr. Hage G. Geingob, announced on the occasion of the 29th Covid-19 briefing on the national response measures on 15 June 2021 that the existing Public Health Regulations (as of 28 May 2021), which are set to expire on 30 June 2021, are getting amended. The aim of this adjustment is to break the momentum of the Covid-19 pandemic, currently charakterized by "Widespread Communtiy Transmission" in Namibia.
The adjustments have come into force on 16 June 2021, for a period of 14 days until 30 June 2021, are as follows:

• The exit and entry into the Windhoek-Okahandja-Rehoboth Local Authority is restricted. With exception for returning residents; essential service providers in possession of the relevant permit: emergency medical cases and the transportation of human remains to other regions for burial purposes.
• Public gatherings are reduced to 10 persons per event and should not last longer than two hours for indoor events.
• The curfew remains in force countrywide, as per current regulations, from 22:00 to 04:00, daily.
• Face-to-Face teaching and learning for Primary, Secondary schools and Higher Education Institutions including Technical Education Provides, in affected areas, is suspended effective 17 June 2021 to 30 June 2021.
• However, for the rest of Namibia, the Minister of Education, Arts & Culture will announce a "Winter Holiday", with exception for Grades 10, 11 and A-Levels who need to continue Face-to-Face learning in preparation for external examinations.
• All examinations for tertiary students will be undertaken online.
• The sale and purchase of liquor from shebeens and bars is restricted from 09:00 to 18:00 Monday to Saturday on take-away basis only. The on-site consumption of liquor is prohibited, except at restaurants, guesthouses, hotels and similar establishments where guests reside.
• Gambling houses and night clubs are deemed to be high-risk under the circumstances and will not be permitted to operate. Kapana traders may only operate for take-away and private consumption.
• All contact sports as defined in the regulations are prohibited and no spectators are permitted at live sporting events.
• To make adequate provision for physical distancing and to avoid overloading in motor vehicles, all public transport operators in Namibia may only load passengers to half the capacity of the vehicle.
• With the raise in deaths, Namibia is also experiencing an increase in funerals. The existing protocols for conducting Covid-19 burials is getting maintained - burials are to take place within seven days and the public is urged to serve meals at funerals on take-away basis only.